10. Brett #2
She stood staring at me as if she couldn’t believe I had ever been with another woman. I even saw her gulp at the realization.
“Oh.”
I knew what the next question would be.
“Who is her mother?”
Ding!
“Her name is Lauren. I met her right after we split.”
“How long were you with her?”
“Two years.”
Watching her piece it all together was torture.
“I stayed with her when I found out she was pregnant. I was going to do the honorable thing, but she took Chloe and ran. I didn’t hear from her again for six years when she was on my doorstep, handing Chloe over to me to raise.
It was a helluva shock to go from the lifestyle I led back then to being a dad, but I managed.
Zackery helped a lot, as did our parents. ”
Olivia looked a little woozy. I stepped closer, my voice dropping. “Anything else you would like to know?”
“Where does Chloe live?”
“With me for six blissful years. It was a struggle at first, but now I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice wavered, and I knew I’d better play this card right.
“Because I wanted to make sure there was truly still something between us before telling you something so personal. Chloe is my everything, and I will protect her interest at all costs.”
“Wow. You have a daughter. I can’t even fathom what that looks like.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I’m hoping, in time, that you can meet her and see for yourself. But I don’t bring women home unless I’m planning on a long, serious relationship. First and foremost, it has to be good for Chloe. I’m sure you understand.”
She swallowed, and I watched the battle play out in her expression. The fire, the frustration, the undeniable pull between us. Her fingers twitched at her sides like she wanted to push me away and pull me closer all at once.
I needed a subject change. “You know, Rochelle thinks you’re in love with me.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Who is Rochelle?”
“That divine woman you saw me with at the art gallery. She’s my assistant, and no, there’s nothing between us—never has been and never will be.
She’s not my type.” I looked her up and down and continued, “Obviously.” I leaned against her desk, enjoying this way too much.
“She says I’m in love with you too. Can you believe that? ”
Olivia let out a sharp laugh. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Is it, Olivia?”
“Absolutely.”
“No truth to it at all?”
“None.”
Silence stretched between us. I could hear her breathing and see the rise and fall of her chest. Something shifted in the air. Her eyes centered on my mouth, and I wanted desperately to close in on her like a vampire.
Damn it.
My hand lifted before I could stop it, my fingers brushing her wrist. She didn’t move away. She didn’t slap my hand or glare like she usually would. She just… stared like she was waiting for something.
I wasn’t sure who moved first. Maybe it was me, or perhaps it was her. But suddenly, she was against the desk, and I was way too close, and her breath was warm against my lips.
I saw the moment she realized what was happening: the way her breath caught and her fingers curled against my shirt, like she might push me away but hadn’t quite decided yet.
I smirked. “Still think Rochelle’s full of shit?”
Olivia exhaled shakily. “Shut up, Brett.”
And then she kissed me!
Hard.
Heat and electricity collided in a smashing of lips and a tangle of arms. Years of unresolved tension detonated all at once.
Her fingers tangled in my shirt and yanked me closer.
My hands found her waist, and I pulled her flush against me.
She tasted like coffee and something sweeter, instantly making me crave more.
Then, just as suddenly, she shoved me away.
We stood there, breathing hard, staring at each other like two people who had just set fire to a house and couldn’t decide if they wanted to put it out or watch it burn.
I grinned. “Well, that was unexpected.”
She glared. “Get out.”
I chuckled. “Sure thing. Take some time to think about it, but this isn’t over, Olivia. Not by a long shot.”
And judging by the way her eyes darkened, she knew it wasn’t, either.
Winter in Chicago had a way of forcing reflection, especially when you were walking a restless German shepherd through the slushy streets. Phoenix trotted ahead, her paws crunching against the ice patches as I loosened my tie, my thoughts drifting where I didn’t want them to go.
Olivia.
I thought I was done carrying regrets about her, but then Rochelle had to go and poke at wounds I thought had scabbed over. And now that Olivia knew about Chloe?—
God, her face when I told her. Shock? Anger? Both? Whatever it was, it had her gripping me like she was trying to hold on to something solid.
I exhaled hard, rubbing my jaw as Phoenix pulled me toward the crosswalk. Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking about Olivia, but hell, I’d been doing many things I shouldn’t be doing lately.
When I got home, Chloe was sprawled on the couch, flipping through movie options. “Finally! I thought you and Phoenix moved to Canada.”
“Tempting,” I sighed, dropping onto the couch beside her. “What’s the pick for tonight?”
“Something where things explode.”
“That’s my girl.”
Halfway through, she dozed off and curled into my side. Carrying her to bed, I tucked her in and smoothed her hair back. “So,” I said, playing it cool. “This boy from school… Joey.”
Chloe groaned, stuffing her face into the pillow. “Dad.”
I smirked. “I’m a concerned dad. It’s not my fault.”
She peeked up, cheeks turning a suspicious shade of pink. “He walked me home from school today,” she admitted, then hid her face in her pillow.
I sat on the edge of her bed. “What’s his last name?”
Chloe huffed. “Dad.”
I held up a hand. “Just checking. Is he taller than you?”
“No.”
“Good. He needs to know his place.”
Another groan. “I knew this was a mistake.”
I grinned, ruffling her hair. “It’s my job to interrogate. Comes with the dad license.”
“You are so weird.”
“And you’re my whole world, kiddo. Get some sleep.”
Chloe sighed, but her small smile gave her away. “Night, Dad.”
I lingered in the doorway before heading to my own room. Stripping to my boxers, I collapsed onto the bed, Phoenix hopping up beside me. I grabbed the remote, flipping through mindless comedies. But my brain wasn’t cooperating. My thoughts kept circling back.
Olivia. Again.
I scrubbed a hand down my face. She’d always gotten under my skin, but now? Now, she was haunting me.
Phoenix nudged me, sensing the storm brewing in my head. I stroked her fur absently. “Why does love have to be so complicated?”
She let out a huff. I was sure she was agreeing with me.
I smirked, but it faded fast. Because the truth was, I didn’t have an answer.